Research & Development has grown fast. In only its third year, the event led by Robin Van Gyn had $10,000 and two spots in the Natural Selection Tour on the line for 2026. It’s her way of paying it forward. Twelve hand-selected athletes got the chance to work with the best filmers and photographers in the industry, while gaining mentorship from riders with decades of experience.
But there’s more to it than just the riders who are competing. While the lucky dozen were chasing first place, past competitors returned to RnD in new roles and found new opportunities. Of course it was challenging not to be invited back to compete, but one of the main goals of RnD is shining the spotlight on new faces who might not be seen otherwise and lifting the community as a whole.
Billy Pelchat drops into a technical line en route to the win for 2026 and a spot at Natural Selection in Revelstoke.
Yuka Fujimori won “The Draft,” a video-based feeder contest for Japanese riders hoping to ride in RnD. She took that opportunity and capitalized, earning second place and a spot at Natural Selection.
Gillian Andrewshenko adjusting to her new role behind the scenes nicely and scoring powder in the leadup to the competition day.
Take Gillian Andrewshenko, for instance. She competed last year, but this year returned as a massage therapist and mentor. “There are so many insanely strong riders worldwide that should have the chance to experience this event firsthand,” Gillian said, “It's important to keep rolling the dice on a multitude of athletes, because we never know who's going to come out swinging.”
When asked how it’s been shifting into the mentor space, Gillian saw opportunity. “It’s like how I would imagine motherhood [would be]: sleepless nights, no time to eat, can't remember the last time I showered and endless bootpacks,” she said. “But I've watched these girls land the sickest tricks and lines that in a way, I have helped to facilitate. It is so rewarding to see their success, perseverance and evolution in the matter of days.”
While she helps invite new riders in, Gillian also benefits from her experience at RnD down the road. It’s opened the door to working as a massage therapist for the Natural Selection Tour and working with Arc’teryx for their summer events.
Egan Wint, year two chucking double backs and making everyone proud. She brought it to her feet but couldn’t quite set it down.
Zoe Vernon’s line-riding prowess on display during the leadup to the event. Zoe has become a leader and mentor for the next generation of freeriders.
Even though it’s hard to be there and not competing, several other women came back to support RnD 2026, including Zoe Vernon. “I still wanted to be a part of RnD in whatever capacity I could,” she said. “This event takes an army to make it happen, and I'm stoked to be here to help pull all the pieces together. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little tough to not be competing, but I think that feeling is overridden by my stoke for all the gals that get to show the world how talented they are. This event is bigger than the competition, it's a platform to showcase women's progression in freeride and freestyle.”
And Zoe sees the benefit of RnD firsthand. “[The competitors] are miles ahead of where I was in my early 20s,” she said. “The progression of the next gen is staggering and it is so cool to witness in person.”
As a mentor, she’s helping these younger women flourish. “I guess my contribution to them is that I may have more big mountain and backcountry experience so I can help them figure out how to scope lines from afar and then execute riding those lines, or talk about sluff management or avalanche hazard. I have also done this comp and ridden a lot of the terrain that they've been filming, so I can give some advice on lines,” she said. “We need more opportunities to showcase women in freeride environments, more than just RnD even. I can support women in snowboarding and events like this while still following my own dreams, even if I'm not a competitor at this specific event.”
Isabella Gomez rode in the contest for the first two years and stepped into a new role behind the scenes this year.
Of course, she found some time to rip as well.
Even on the younger end of the spectrum, women are returning to help and finding new opportunities. Isabella Gomez was another former competitor returning in a different role. “I just wanted to be here—I needed to be,” she said. “My intention was to come shovel, without expectation for anything else, but it opened the door for work.”
She found a position as a Production Assistant for Slush Magazine, learning the ropes under the mentorship of Mia Lambson Brady. “If you want it that bad, at any capacity, you need to be there in the space,” Izzy said. “I’m learning a lot. Even though it’s hard not to get invited back, the silver lining is that there could be an opportunity to expand yourself within the industry.”
The dedication of this trio of past competitors shows just how much willingness there is to step up for the community when given the opportunity. All three of them would love to drop in for the judges, but they’re all looking for any avenue possible to help showcase women’s freeriding to a bigger audience and create opportunity as a group. Ellie Weiler, at 23-years-old, is aware of this. “My experience has been fantastic,” she said, reflecting on her experience at the contest. “I don’t normally get to ride lines like these [and] getting to learn from everyone… it’s really amazing getting to pick Hana Beaman’s brain a bit with the different line choices and having the different mentors’ point of view to stack up against mine—it’s changing how I look at terrain.”
Camaraderie on display in the start gate with Audrey Doan and Stefi Luxton.
Maria Hidalgo receives a warm welcome in the finish corral.
Textbook front 3 by Ellery Manning.
Ellery Manning, at 19-years-old, came out of nowhere as a wildcard to win the first rendition of RnD and her career has blossomed since. “Having the veteran presence is the best,” she said, “they are such good mentors and have loads of advice. It’s fun to ride with them and hear their feedback on lines or tricks. It’s the most fun, though, to just hang with them. It’s definitely helping me flourish because I grow every time I get advice, and now I’m starting to develop a style of my own.”
Once two film days and one contest day were finished this year, it was teenager Billy Pelchat on the top step of the podium, with Japanese rider Yula Fujimori, who earned her way into RnD through a Regional video contest, in second. For Billy, past experience at RnD and ongoing mentorship via the Full Moon Film crew undoubtedly has helped her develop as a backcountry rider. For Yuka, it was her first year at RnD, showing how making space for new riders pays off. Both will compete at Natural Selection Tour next week, bringing new energy to the highest level of competitive backcountry snowboarding.
With folks like Gillian, Zoe and Isabella working and riding alongside the likes of Ellie, Ellery, Billy and Yuka, a generational transfer of knowledge is by design at RnD. And however you’re involved, RnD makes space for growth—women supporting women has never looked better in the backcountry.
Women who rip together, rip together. Audrey Doan, Ellery Manning, Maria Hidalgo, Yuka Fujimori, Enni Rekijarvi, Carmen Leung and Marissa Krawczak are there for each other.